Generosity Policy
Giving and receiving with grace and generosity is a practice. Both giving and receiving are included in our Shambhala generosity practice and that is reflected in our Generosity Policy.
Being truly generous is about giving graciously to and receiving graciously from others. Allowing others to ‘give’ to us whether a compliment, a thoughtful act, emotional support or a material gift is as much of an act of generosity as extending ourselves to give those gifts. Generosity is also being gentle to oneself, being able to acknowledge what you need and to ask for it. To think of generosity in terms of only giving or only receiving is limiting. Both aspects of generosity practice are the same, both can be very difficult and both joyful. The tradition of serving evokes the spirit of giving and receiving freely with elegance. Sometimes you are served, and sometimes you are the server. Sometimes it becomes magically unclear which is which.
Both giving and receiving are included in our Shambhala generosity practice and that is reflected in our generosity policy. The generosity policy is intended to help us develop, from the first time we enter Shambhala, the practice of exchange and genuine reciprocity as the basis for enlightened society.
Our generosity policy is intended to invite and sustain a diverse community and to make our offerings available to all who wish to participate. The tuition fees for our classes and programs represent an amount that allows for the support of our programs, food and facilities (the staff are mostly volunteers). If a program price is a financial impossibility for anyone, we ask that you please consider what works, and offer what is possible for you through the “offer what you can afford” policy. For those who can offer more than the standard program price, we have a “patron price.” Your generosity in offering the patron price helps cover the costs for others who are not able to offer the full price.
Other ways of engaging in the practice of generosity and supporting the Center are by Volunteering, making a Donation and by becoming a Member.